I hung out with herdfan.

[GermanSuplex]

We could go to a Trump rally too, and I would even blend in and be on my best behavior, and when Trump says something like this when asked how he’d help small business…

Yanni (34:44):

I’m a small business owner in Lansdale. I have a small breakfast, lunch restaurant, Coffee Corner. Thank you. And to be honest, Mr. President, I really am praying for you to get in there and change the policies. Ever since the gas prices started spiking, I noticed literally everything started spiking from deliveries, to services, goods, even overall maintenance. Everything just spiked up and it’s really hurting small businesses, small business owners and those who work within them. So my question is, what’s your plan to help bring common sense back and help small businesses that got destroyed by Democrats after COVID and the Biden administration?


Donald Trump (35:34):

So great. Because small businesses are actually bigger than big businesses. When you add them all up and it’s very important, and it sounds like yours, I would love your food. I can tell by looking at that guy. I think I’d like to go over there. If I’m over there, I’m going to stop by. The fact is that they want to get away from gas. And I have friends, they’re into the cooking world, I’m not. I just like to eat. But they’re into the cooking. And I don’t know how you feel. It sounds like you … They feel that really gas is much better than the electric for cooking. And they have this thing about they want to put gas out of business, right? No gas. You know the amazing thing, we don’t have electric in this country, but we have all the gas you can use. We have oil and gas.

(36:20)
That’s what we have. And even the cars, if you look, they want to go with all electric cars. California’s having blackouts every week, brownouts, blackouts, and then they come up with rules and regulation to go to all electric, but they can’t even supply what they have. It’s so nuts. We’re going to get number one, your utility costs. You heard me say it before. Your costs will be down and we’re getting rid of all the … If you want electric, great, and if you want gas, great. The only thing you can’t have is a hydrogen car. You heard me say that, right? Because you know what happens? They have a new car. They say it’s great, but it’s got one problem. You know what the problem is? Every once in a while, one will blow up and if it does blow up and you happen to be inside of it, you’re in bad luck because you’re not recognizable.

(37:02)
Do you know that? It’s the new thing, hydrogen. I said, “No, thank you. I don’t want it.” I don’t want it. They called the wife, “That’s not my husband.” “Oh, yes it is.” It’s no good. So your energy costs will be down by 50%. Your interest is going to come down and people are going to start to make … Not only you, people will have more money to go to your restaurant. You’re going to have a great business. And during COVID, I was the one that worked out the loans. I don’t know if you got one, but everybody, so many people, millions of small businesses.

And Linda McMahon was the head of Small Business Administration, which was a big business. But she was the head and she was phenomenal. Linda McMahon was phenomenal. So many people tell me about her that she was one of the best secretaries. But Linda McMahon was in charge and they loaned billions of dollars out to people with small businesses. And it was the greatest investment we made. It stopped us from going into a 1929 depression, which is exactly what we would’ve had. And she did a fantastic job.

———-

I would then turn to him and say “I only understand word salad, please break that down for me, it’s above my intellect.”

 

[rdrr]

Got to admit @Herdfan has a beautiful playground. Looks like fun, but I would have to imagine that would be a jarring trip on the ol’ spine.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

Got to admit @Herdfan has a beautiful playground. Looks like fun, but I would have to imagine that would be a jarring trip on the ol’ spine.

It was shockingly smooth. I probably could have taken a nap if it weren't for steep inclines and declines. I don't have footage but there was a part that was like driving down a staircase. It wasn't smooth but amazing that it could be done with measured driving.

To add to the experience his ATV has headphones with microphones so we can hear each other talk and listen to music over the loudish engine.

When going down the stairs he played this track.



I'm a big fan of providing a soundtrack for the situation or mood.

 

[Herdfan]

No one answered my question.

Only after breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or mid-day snack.

Do you think he'd let me drive it?

Absolutely. Not! j/k. Of course. Offered to CTM drive but he declined.

Most people do decline because then they have to pay attention and not be able to take in the view.

Props to Herdfan for the ride. I took a Jeep tour on some of those trails 20 years ago. The landscape is spectacular, but you have to be OK with bouncing around a lot and being at very odd angles that seem incompatible with the vehicle remaining upright. Not sure my back would stand it now!

Much better suspension than those Jeeps. They do air down the tires, but they still are a rough ride. I have around 20" Front and 22" Rear of suspension travel and dual springs. So it really soaks up the bumps.

Why do old people (sorry Herd) always want to move to Arizona?

Not this old person. I hate anything desert looking. Give me the PNW's green trees and cobalt blue swimming holes any day of the week!

I will answer both of these at once. While not discounting the views, the lack of humidity was a huge factor. Summers back east just got to be too much to take as I got older. You couldn't sit on your deck until late September, everywhere you went you would just sweat. And then there are the winters. Just cold and dreary.

As for the green, I live in what is known as the Verde Valley. So green is right there in the name. . It is green because the Verde river and some tributaries run through the valley. Elevation is at my house is 3600' and Sedona is at 4400', so we do have some green trees and some people even have grass. Lots of green scrub so you do see green when looking over the landscape. But it is nothing like the east coast or PNW forests. We did find a sugar maple so we can go watch it change color.

Lots of vineyards in the area including Merkin (IYKYK) and Caduceus Cellers which are owned by Tool frontman Maynard James. He has a house up in Jerome and can be seen at any of his locations in Cottonwood or Jerome.

Got to admit @Herdfan has a beautiful playground. Looks like fun, but I would have to imagine that would be a jarring trip on the ol’ spine.

It really is. We looked at buying in Sedona but for what you get for the cost it just wasn't worth it. We both like some land and most lots in Sedona are 1/4 to 1/2 acre and houses are right beside each other. Where we are we have 1.75 acres but can still see the western end of the red rocks across the valley.

It was shockingly smooth. I probably could have taken a nap if it weren't for steep inclines and declines. I don't have footage but there was a part that was like driving down a staircase. It wasn't smooth but amazing that it could be done with measured driving.

It's called Devil's Staircase and is on the Broken Arrow Trail



Right before this I straddled a crevasse and the Pink Jeep actually stopped to watch. I know they were hoping I would slip and end up on my side, but this wasn't my first rodeo doing that, so no issues.

When going down the stairs he played this track.



I'm a big fan of providing a soundtrack for the situation or mood.

Yeah, I messed up and started it too soon.

So we had a great time and I got to meet his parents and they were a hoot. Hoping to get up the bay area and see all them again next year.

But if you get a chance to meet up and hang out with a forum member, take it. Well worth it to meet them in person.

 

[Renzatic]

Of course. Offered to CTM drive but he declined.

Pity for him.

Me? Oh, I will rag that sumbish OUT!

 

[MEJHarrison]

I will answer both of these at once. While not discounting the views, the lack of humidity was a huge factor. Summers back east just got to be too much to take as I got older. You couldn't sit on your deck until late September, everywhere you went you would just sweat. And then there are the winters. Just cold and dreary.

Enough said. I grew up in NE Ohio, so I believe I have a good understanding of what you're describing. I just need to go back to Ohio for a visit to be reminded of the humidity. Here in Oregon is probably higher than where you are, but nowhere near as bad as Ohio. When I was 12, I described the sun in Ohio as a frosted light bulb, while the sun in Oregon was like an unfrosted light bulb. I'm sure that was the humidity that gave me that impression.

And I get the winter thing too.

I couldn't live there in Arizona myself. But I could spend some time admiring that view.

The only important question is are you in gold mining country?

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

Pity for him.

Me? Oh, I will rag that sumbish OUT!

Not the entire reason, but I have an issue with heights and for some fucked up reason even on parts of the road that were about 3 lanes wide the most worn and preferred path was cliffside. That and I didn't want to be "that guy" with lack of experience that breaks something.

Also I enjoyed being the passenger enjoying the view and driven by a professional.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

@Herdfan. Since this thread has developed a Sedona appreciation side discussion, please post winter snow pictures when that happens. Assuming climate change didn't ruin that one....or maybe it made it better.

 

[Yoused]

the lack of humidity was a huge factor

We were in Manitou Springs Colorado one August weekend, and was hot but tolerable. A few days later, we headed east in the air-conditioned car, and when we stopped for gas in Hays Kansas, I stepped out of the car and nearly suffocated. Basically, just about anywhere from the Rockies west, the summer heat is tolerable (though, the dry 120°F in Furnace Creek was not exactly pleasant), but plains and eastward it becomes unpleasant and sticky.

Eric grew weary of the Pacific NorthWet, but in that area, the snow is kept almost entirely in the mountains, where it belongs (the few days it does snow in the lowlands become traffic nightmares) and the temperatures rarely get as low as 10°F and not for long. If you can learn to appreciate the clouds as not grey but silver and keep your feathers well-oiled, it can be a pleasant place all year 'round.

 

[Renzatic]

That and I didn't want to be "that guy" with lack of experience that breaks something.

That guy? I am that guy.

 

[Herdfan]

@Herdfan. Since this thread has developed a Sedona appreciation side discussion, please post winter snow pictures when that happens. Assuming climate change didn't ruin that one....or maybe it made it better.

Last Friday. Was gone by the end of the day. Looks like the snowline was at around 6,000'.

The wife has one from February of '23. We had driven the first load out and were heading to dinner and it was raining. Came out and it was snowing quarter to half dollar size flakes. Woke up to 4+ inches. But Sedona which is higher got 10-12" and when we went up there for dinner, there was still plenty of snow. In fact, someone built a snowman right outside the Cowboy Club in downtown. The rim country got over a foot last Friday.

 

[Eric]

We were in Manitou Springs Colorado one August weekend, and was hot but tolerable. A few days later, we headed east in the air-conditioned car, and when we stopped for gas in Hays Kansas, I stepped out of the car and nearly suffocated. Basically, just about anywhere from the Rockies west, the summer heat is tolerable (though, the dry 120°F in Furnace Creek was not exactly pleasant), but plains and eastward it becomes unpleasant and sticky.

Eric grew weary of the Pacific NorthWet, but in that area, the snow is kept almost entirely in the mountains, where it belongs (the few days it does snow in the lowlands become traffic nightmares) and the temperatures rarely get as low as 10°F and not for long. If you can learn to appreciate the clouds as not grey but silver and keep your feathers well-oiled, it can be a pleasant place all year 'round.

Going to quote Lewis Black when it comes to living in a grey hellscape "If you want to see any color you have to cut your wrists"

 

[Herdfan]

Enough said. I grew up in NE Ohio, so I believe I have a good understanding of what you're describing. I just need to go back to Ohio for a visit to be reminded of the humidity. Here in Oregon is probably higher than where you are, but nowhere near as bad as Ohio. When I was 12, I described the sun in Ohio as a frosted light bulb, while the sun in Oregon was like an unfrosted light bulb. I'm sure that was the humidity that gave me that impression.

And I get the winter thing too.

I couldn't live there in Arizona myself. But I could spend some time admiring that view.

We were in Manitou Springs Colorado one August weekend, and was hot but tolerable. A few days later, we headed east in the air-conditioned car, and when we stopped for gas in Hays Kansas, I stepped out of the car and nearly suffocated. Basically, just about anywhere from the Rockies west, the summer heat is tolerable (though, the dry 120°F in Furnace Creek was not exactly pleasant), but plains and eastward it becomes unpleasant and sticky.

Eric grew weary of the Pacific NorthWet, but in that area, the snow is kept almost entirely in the mountains, where it belongs (the few days it does snow in the lowlands become traffic nightmares) and the temperatures rarely get as low as 10°F and not for long. If you can learn to appreciate the clouds as not grey but silver and keep your feathers well-oiled, it can be a pleasant place all year 'round.

Our final move was last August ('23) and it was 90+ degrees and 80+% humidity. You could literally chew the air. I would go through 4-5 shirts in a day working outside. Sticky is a very appropriate word.

Now we are at 3,600'. So we are about 10-15 degrees cooler than the Valley (aka, surface of the Sun). So average summer temps hit 103-105. I think we had a couple of days pushing 110. It is hot, but the shade feels 20 degrees cooler. And once the sun goes down, it is awesome. I will say that A/C works so much better out here, even with the temps. During the summer in WV, ours basically ran 24/7 and could never get the house as cool as I wanted it. Out here, we can bump the temp up to 76 when we leave and it needs about 20 minutes to cool it back down to 70.

Not sure I could take the rain of the PNW. One thing we have noticed here, is people don't change their behavior during light rain. They just walk around like it isn't happening. No umbrellas or raincoats. Just walk around like normal. Of course, if you do get wet you will be dry in 10 minutes.

The only important question is are you in gold mining country?

All kinds of mining everywhere. Jerome is famous for its copper mine, but there are plenty of gold mines. And unlike WV, many of the mines are not sealed.

This pic is a buddy coming up out of the Roadrunner Mine which was a Silver and Zinc mine.

And here is the main shaft of the Ajax Mine which was a copper, lead, silver and gold mine.

One day I am going to research just how people in the 1800's knew where to dig. And how they found some of these places to begin with. These mines are out in the boonies.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

A Catholic Church. Much like my experience seeing the cathedrals in Spain, you kind of get the appeal, unlike city churches sandwiched between a McDonalds and a liquor store.


That Jesus is both amazing and horrifying, probably 3 times bigger than human. There’s a set of feet imprints you can stand in just below him so you can look up at him as he looks down at you.

 

[Yoused]

Not sure I could take the rain of the PNW. One thing we have noticed here, is people don't change their behavior during light rain.

Rain is a thing people are used to. Many of the Californian immigrants, and some of the natives, do complain some, but there have also been times when, after an unseaonably long stretch of dry weather, when the rain finally comes, most everyone seems to be in a better mood.

Often, the cold can run deep. It is never the murderous cold of the upper midwest, but in the colder months, the humidity can drive even a moderate cold into ones bones. I have heard that people who come to the PNWet find it can get more deeply cold than they expected.

 

[Nycturne]

Not sure I could take the rain of the PNW. One thing we have noticed here, is people don't change their behavior during light rain. They just walk around like it isn't happening. No umbrellas or raincoats. Just walk around like normal. Of course, if you do get wet you will be dry in 10 minutes.

The funny thing is that Seattle is in a rain shadow. We get less annual rainfall than many places, such as New York. Eastern Washington is borderline desert in its own right. The real problem is that our wet season is in the winter. That added with the latitude means we get short, overcast days in the winter. This month, I’ve had about 4 clear nights for photography, but it’s rained fewer days than it’s been sunny. Go figure. The transplants I’ve talked with seem to have a harder time dealing with the clouds and short days in the winter, but like the summers.

But at the same time, you can drive to a temperate rainforest that’s less than 4 hours away. So there’s a lot of variability in climate.

 

[MEJHarrison]

One day I am going to research just how people in the 1800's knew where to dig. And how they found some of these places to begin with. These mines are out in the boonies.

I'm hooked on all the gold shows on Discovery. The "knowing where to dig" is the prospecting part. There seems to be a million little things to look for. Shape of rocks, orientation of the rocks, size of the trees in the area, the shape of the land, how the dirt is packed, etc. I saw a gold show recently where some people bought some land in eastern Oregon and it turned out their whole claim had already been mined out. They were never going to get anything beyond what the old timers missed which was very, very little. They eventually got hooked up with a neighbor who had good ground and no way to get the gold out.

The place I've picked all my 1% of knowledge is Gold Rush: Mine Rescue with Freddie and Juan. All the other gold shows are about greed and getting as much as possible (which is still fun and I love them). Mine Rescue is about people who are failing at the greed part and struggling hard just to survive. Then Freddie and Juan come in and do what they can to help. They start with a 4-hour test run, then spend a week fixing things, then end with another 4-hour test run to see what effect their changes had. It's a combination of fixing wash plants, setting up wash plants properly and showing people where and how to find the gold. I like that the goal isn't for Freddie and Juan to walk away with gold, but to help struggling miners walk away with some gold. It puts a fun twist on a greedy job.

As for how the old timers found the places to begin with, I'd guess once upon a time someone found gold in a river. Either they saw it just sitting there, or panned out of curiosity. Then they'd just keep working back up the stream towards the source. When the gold runs dry, then you'd be looking for the source of the gold which leads you underground. So the source is where the gold comes out of the earth and is eroded away into rivers and streams. If you're following the source into the mountain, that's hard-rock mining. If you're after the stuff in the rivers and streams, even if they're ancient rivers and streams that dried up thousands of years ago, that's alluvial mining.

I think when "alluvial" is tossed out, it's probably time to stop boring people. The point is, if you ever get curious enough, Discovery has tons of different gold shows. Gold Rush is the father of them all. So that would be a good jumping off point. But most of the "where to find the gold" and "how to catch the gold" is covered more in the show with Freddie and Juan. Because every episode is new people not finding and catching gold.

One more thing. If you're into metal work and fabrication, Juan drives a semi and hauls his own portable CNC machine around with him. That way they're able to fabricate anything they need on site. If that kind of thing happens to excite you, there's plenty of that as well.

 

[Herdfan]

Often, the cold can run deep. It is never the murderous cold of the upper midwest, but in the colder months, the humidity can drive even a moderate cold into ones bones. I have heard that people who come to the PNWet find it can get more deeply cold than they expected.

Absolutely. Back when I sold natural gas, you could watch the throughput and you would move as much on a rainy 35 degree day as you would on a snowy 20 degree day. Yes, it just seeps into your bones.

 

[Renzatic]

View attachment 32121

Meanwhile, at headquarters....

 

[Herdfan]

I'm hooked on all the gold shows on Discovery.

Have seen bits and pieces of them but will have to give them a real try.

My biggest issue with these types of shows is the manufactured drama. We had an opportunity to be on House Hunters and declined because they wanted us to bicker and look like I wanted one house and she wanted a different one. That isn’t how it went down so we passed.